https://www.yahoo.com/news/eus-von-der-l...56190.html
Ursula von der Leyen is a person that IMO should never head anything that involves defense or the military. She was the "hit person" that pushed the German military "over the hump" from pathetic to utterly useless. She was instrumental in forcing the Luftwaffe to not buy F-35s and instead buy more Typhoons. The head of the air force resigned in protest. Few Typhoons were purchased, and they were basically unsuitable for the ground attack role for which they were needed. Belatedly, Germany is buying F-35s, although the ostensible reason is the F-35 being certified to carry US nuclear weapons and the Typhoon not. This is of course an excuse and not the "real" reason. It avoids admitting previous governments made a serious and costly error. The "Bundeswehr standing before you naked" happened on her watch, and she led the charge. Now she speaks about the EU "supporting democracy and supporting Ukraine. After her handiwork, Germany can't do so. IMO she is unsuitable to lead the EU for that reason.
She isn't "good" for Ukraine because she has no credibility in defense circles. Everybody knows what she did. The fact the chancellor (Merkel) appointed her to do it doesn't absolve her of blame. She has never said "we were wrong then" and that makes her newfound desire for military deterrent not credible.
Ursula von der Leyen is a person that IMO should never head anything that involves defense or the military. She was the "hit person" that pushed the German military "over the hump" from pathetic to utterly useless. She was instrumental in forcing the Luftwaffe to not buy F-35s and instead buy more Typhoons. The head of the air force resigned in protest. Few Typhoons were purchased, and they were basically unsuitable for the ground attack role for which they were needed. Belatedly, Germany is buying F-35s, although the ostensible reason is the F-35 being certified to carry US nuclear weapons and the Typhoon not. This is of course an excuse and not the "real" reason. It avoids admitting previous governments made a serious and costly error. The "Bundeswehr standing before you naked" happened on her watch, and she led the charge. Now she speaks about the EU "supporting democracy and supporting Ukraine. After her handiwork, Germany can't do so. IMO she is unsuitable to lead the EU for that reason.
She isn't "good" for Ukraine because she has no credibility in defense circles. Everybody knows what she did. The fact the chancellor (Merkel) appointed her to do it doesn't absolve her of blame. She has never said "we were wrong then" and that makes her newfound desire for military deterrent not credible.